Score: Kennesaw State 57 , FIU 67
Records: Kennesaw State (1-2, 0-0), FIU (2-1, 0-0)
Key Players: Alexis Poole (14 pts, 7 rebs); Amani Johnson (10 pts, 4 assts); Amaris Baker (personal-best 9 pts, 3-6 3FG)

THE STORYLINE
Amaris Baker sparked a tidy fourth-quarter performance for the Owls, but it wasn't enough to complete the KSU comeback with the Panthers winning 67-57 Monday night in the Convocation Center.

COACH OCTAVIA BLUE QUOTES
On the team's performance…
"I think we need to be locked in. When you have a team that shoots the three as well as FIU, we've got to make sure we cover the 3-point line. We wanted to stay true to our identity and play an up-tempo game. We understood that they play the same up-tempo game. It was going to come down to who defended the 3-point line better, who handled the ball a little bit better and ultimately, who came down to who made free throws."

HOW IT HAPPENED
The night began promisingly, with Bre'Lyn Snipes following up an Amani Johnson's jumper with a coast-to-coast layup to put the Owls up 4-0 early on; however, FIU answered back with a 3-point shot, which was the focal point of the Panthers' offense. 

FIU would outscore the Owls 20-12 throughout the rest of the first quarter to take a 23-16 lead into the second.

The second quarter was the most heavily contested period of the game, with both teams scoring 11 points each. 

Neither team scored for the opening two minutes, with Alexis Poole scoring the first point of the second quarter with a free throw. Following that, Poole blocked and rebounded a shot at the other end of the court before sinking a driving layup to make it a four-point contest. 

The rest of the second quarter was a back-and-forth affair, but it was the Panthers who entered the locker room at halftime with a 34-27 lead.

FIU really flexed its muscles in the third quarter, outscoring the Owls 23-13. 

Amaris Baker hit back-to-back trifectas with two minutes left in the third, which brought energy to the squad for the fourth and final quarter.

Johnson started out the interval with a 3-pointer of her own, cutting the deficit to 14 points. 

Sandwiched in between two Poole jumpers was another Baker swish from beyond the arc, cementing the best game for the KSU freshman thus far.

Despite being the better team in the fourth quarter, the Owls' 17-10 run throughout the last 10 minutes fell short of the comeback they needed with the Panthers closing out the 67-57 win.

UP NEXT
The Owls hit the road for the first out-of-state road trip of their campaign, tipping off against No. 22 West Virginia at noon on Friday, Nov. 19.

To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State women's basketball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsWBB or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.